Unlike BMW automobiles, Bavarian motorcycles carry a rather stodgy reputation. Basically, they're the two-wheeled equivalent of Red Wing work boots - comfortable and well-suited to all-day wear, but not necessarily ideal for track use. Ever since BMW dominated the rather obscure World Sidecar Championship some thirty-plus years ago, on-road victories by factory-supported machines has been virtually non-existent.

This may be about to change, however, as rider Jeremy McWilliams has been spotting testing what is said to be a 990cc GP bike. The cycle's speed are said to not be competitive with the current frontrunners, and it's just as well since the engine size limit drops to 800cc after next season. This leaves BMW's intentions a bit unclear - is this simply a science project, a step towards an effort in 2008, or will the boys from Munich actually field a ride this year or next? 

Regardless of the timetable, a GP entry would go a long ways towards establishing BMW as a bona fide contender in the sport bike arena.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

Is BMW working on a Grand Prix motorcycle? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.